Why Is My Dog’s Tail Swollen At The Base? (7 Clear Facts)

It can be quite worrying to observe that your dog’s tail is swollen at the base. The moment you make this observation, you will want to know the possible underlying causes and what you can do about the dog’s swollen tail problem. Read on, to find out.

Why is my dog’s tail swollen at the base? It may be due to anal gland problems or intestinal parasites. The problem may also be due to limber tail syndrome, fat pads or as a result of tumors.

To identify the exact reason for your dog’s tail being swollen at the base, you need to consider any other accompanying symptoms.

For instance, you need to ask yourself whether or not the dog seems to be in pain. 

Whether there is soreness is another pertinent consideration. Thus the implications of dog tail sore at base would be different from those in a case where there doesn’t seem to be soreness.

Where you find dog sore base of tail, the possible causes would be different from the ones at play where the soreness is absent.

Whether the dog seems to be experiencing itching is another relevant consideration. Thus if you find a dogs tail swollen at base and itchy, you can zero in on certain possible causes.

Even the way the dog holds the tail can help you in understanding the possible causes for it being swollen at the base.

For instance, if you find the dog holding tail to one side, there are certain likely issues at play.

Why Is My Dog’s Tail Swollen At The Base?

What does it mean when a dog’s tail is swollen at the base? When a dog’s tail is swollen at the base, it means that there is something wrong with the dog.

The problem may turn out to be related to the anal glands, which are found close to the tail’s base. Or the problem may be something to do with intestinal parasites.

On another note, the issue may be related to the condition we refer to as limber tail syndrome. Or it may be as a result of tumors. Fat pads can also make a dog’s tail swell at the base.

Worth noting is the fact that we are making reference to a dog’s tail being swollen specifically at the base. If it was a case of dog tail swollen in middle, the likely causes would be different.

So the key question to ask ourselves would specifically be: why would a dog’s tail swell at the base? And in most cases, the problem tends to be either anal gland related or due to intestinal parasites.

However, it may also be due to a tumor, fat padding or the condition known as limber tail syndrome.

Whatever its meaning, discovering that your dog’s tail is swollen at the base can be understandably disconcerting. The question continually playing at the back of your will be, what’s up with my dog’s tail?

To answer it, you need a clearer understanding of why a dog’s tail would swell at the base.

Why Would A Dog’s Tail Swell At The Base?

There are at least 5 possible reasons as to why a dog’s tail would swell at the base.

Firstly, a dog may end up with a tail swollen at the base due to anal gland problems.

Secondly, the dog’s tail being swollen at the base may be a sign that the dog has intestinal parasites.

Thirdly, the dog’s tail swelling at the base may be indicative of the condition we refer to as limber tail syndrome.

Fourthly, it may be due to the presence of tumors that the dog ends up with its tail swollen at the base.

And fifthly, the dog’s tail may be swollen at the base as a result of fat pads.

Ultimately, much depends on whether the dog seems to be experiencing pain or not.

How the dog holds the tail is also a key issue. For instance, if you find the dog holding the tail down, the key question to ask would be, why is my dog holding her tail down?

So this would be different from another case where the dog is still able to wag the tail, in spite of it being swollen at the base.

Let’s now look more closely at each of the possible causes of a dog’s tail being swollen at the base.

Anal Gland Problems As A Possible Cause Of A Dog’s Tail Being Swollen At The Base

A dog’s anal glands are located near the base of its tail. Now at times, these glands do get blocked. When this happens, there may be some swelling.

In this case, what are swollen are the anal glands. But because of their location near the base of the tail, one gets the impression that it is the base of the tail that is swollen.

This sort of anal gland blockage tends to be painful. You are therefore likely to find yourself trying to understand, why does the base of my dogs tail hurt?

Often, a vet’s intervention is needed to resolve the anal gland blockage. Once this issue is resolved, the swelling goes away as well.

All in all, in answering the question on why is my dog’s tail swollen at the base, a good place to start is by considering the possibility of it being due to anal gland problems.

Intestinal Parasites As A Possible Cause Of A Dog’s Tail Being Swollen At The Base

Dogs are prone to intestinal parasite infestations. The specific parasites that tend to be particularly bothersome include tapeworms and roundworms. Others are whipworms and hookworms.

The presence of such parasites can at times cause the area around the dog’s tail base to swell.

Thus in trying to work out why is my dog’s tail swollen at the base, this is another possible reason to consider.

Limber Tail Syndrome As A Possible Cause Of A Dog’s Tail Being Swollen At The Base

In certain cases, when you find a dog’s tail swollen at the base, the underlying cause is a condition known as limber tail syndrome.

The technical name for limber tail syndrome is ‘acute caudal myopathy’.

So, in more precise terms, what is limber tail in dogs? Well, it is a condition where the muscles in the dog’s tail malfunction, typically due to overstrain.

If a dog engages in cold water swimming for too long, it may end up with limber tail syndrome. The condition may also arise following excessive physical exercise for the dog.

Thankfully, limber tail syndrome in dogs tends to be short-lived. How long does limber tail last in dogs? That is typically just a few days – usually less than one week.

Thus if your dog’s tail is swollen at the base, and the dog was recently involved in overly strenuous physical activity (or cold water swimming), the reason may indeed be limber tail syndrome.

Upon discovering that the dog’s tail base swelling is due to limber base syndrome, you have to start thinking in terms of how to treat limp tail in dogs. So this is where the question of limber tail treatment at home comes in.

Thankfully, all that is needed in most cases is simply to allow the dog to rest. Then the condition resolves by itself.

Tumor As A Possible Cause Of A Dog’s Tail Being Swollen At The Base

There are cases where the reason for a dog’s tail being swollen at the base turns out to be a tumor.

The tumor in question may be a benign one – meaning that it is not cancerous. But there are also cases where, unfortunately, the tumor turns out to be malignant.

Usually, tumors manifest specifically as lumps. Thus it is in trying to understand why does my dog have a lump at the base of her tail that you may come to learn it is due to a tumor.

Now where the dog’s tail base swelling seems to be due to a tumor, it is important to consult a vet urgently.

This is because, as we have noted, there is the possibility of the tumor being malignant. And in such cases, early intervention can save the dog’s life.

Fat Pads A Possible Cause Of A Dog’s Tail Being Swollen At The Base

The dog’s body deposits fat at different locations. One of the possible locations where fat can be deposited is at the base of the tail.

Now when fat is deposited at the base of the tail, it will look as if the tail is swollen. But you find that in this case, the tail is not actually swollen: it is just fat-padded.

Thus in trying to work out why is my dog’s tail swollen at the base, this is yet another possible angle to look at.

What To Do If Your Dog’s Tail Is Swollen At The Base?

Once you realize that your dog’s tail is swollen at the base, your main concern is likely to be on how to resolve the issue.

So you find yourself asking, my dog’s tail is swollen what should I do? Or more specifically, how do you treat a dog’s swollen tail?

Now the way to treat a dog with a tail that is swollen at the base depends on the likely underlying cause.

If it is due to factors like anal gland blockage, parasite infestations or tumors, it is best to have the dog seen by a vet urgently.The vet will identify the underlying reason and offer the relevant treatment, to fully resolve it.

But if the swelling is due to limber tail syndrome, all you may need to do is just allow the dog to rest. In this case, if the dog gets adequate rest, the problem is likely to resolve by itself in a matter of days – typically in less than a week.

If the swelling is due to fat padding, you need to take it as a sign that your dog is getting out of shape. You therefore need to take measures like making dietary modification and exercise the dog more, so that it doesn’t deteriorate further shape-wise.

Final Verdict

A dog’s tail may get swollen at the base due to anal gland blockage. The swelling of a dog’s tail at the base may also be a sign that the dog has intestinal parasites.

Other possible reasons for a dog’s tail being swollen at the base include limber tail syndrome, tumors and fat pads.

The necessary intervention for a dog whose tail is swollen at the base depends on the underlying cause. 

If it seems to be due to anal gland blockage, intestinal parasites or tumor, it is best to have the dog seen by a vet urgently.

Where the underlying issue is something like limber tail syndrome, all you may need to do is allow the dog to rest for a few days. That is because limber tail tends to resolve by itself – if the dog gets adequate rest.

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️